NEWS

29.04.2015

Elephant & Castle statue restored to its former glory

The iconic statue of the Elephant & Castle, which proudly looks out from the shopping centre on to the busy main road, has been restored to its former glory following the first repairs undertaken in a generation.

In never before seen pictures of the statue, detailed markings can now be seen on the elephant’s saddle which carries the famous castle, now gleaming brightly in brilliant white.

The elephant itself was severely weather-damaged in places and required filling as well as a new lick of paint.

The statue is [INSERT DIMENSIONS]. While the original statue can be seen in late Victorian pictures above the Elephant & Castle coaching inn which once stood where the northern roundabout is today, the statue at the shopping centre is an exact resin or fibreglass replica.

“Safety scaffolding was erected around the statue in April to allow for routine cleaning and maintenance. This allowed surveyors to get up close and personal to the much-loved statue.

“As part of that initial assessment, the experts have also informed us that the statue is not made of bronze but of resin or fibreglass except for the castle ramparts and roof which are made of copper. However, the repair and cleaning has continued swiftly with the good weather recently and it’s fantastic to see the statue unveiled once again for all to see.”

“We are privileged custodians of this statue which is a symbol of the history of this bustling area of central London. In time, it will take pride of place in the new Elephant & Castle town centre and will serve as a connection to the era when it stood atop the old coaching inn which gives the area its name.”